LAS CRUCES — The Whole Enchilada Fiesta this year made it through a brush with the outer edges of a hurricane, but there is still some storm to weather through.

Remnants of Hurricane Miriam brought rain throughout the city and dampened the first night of events at the fiesta, on Sept. 28. Estimated overall attendance at the 33-year-old community event was a bit lower this year compared to other years.

"The rain really kept the crowd down," said Cheyenne Diaz, who braved the weather and went to the first night of the fiesta. "Nobody was there; it was pretty empty. But that changed big time and there were actually fairly nice crowds on Saturday (Sept. 29) and Sunday (Sept. 30)."

The fiesta is a three-day celebration of southern New Mexico's traditions, people and great food. It has been recognized as one of the top 100 events in the United States and the third-largest event in New Mexico, after the Albuquerque Balloon Rally and the New Mexico State Fair.

The fiesta is Las Cruces' largest community event, and that means plenty of perspectives. Numerous Las Crucens said if the emphasis is on tradition, they would like to see the event moved back downtown.

"I stopped going since they moved it," said Lisa Marie Valenzuela, in a post on the Sun-News' Facebook page. "If it were moved back to where it used to be, I'm sure more people would attend. It just ain't the same without it being downtown.

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Debbie Calderon, chairwoman of the fiesta's board of directors, did not immediately return calls seeking comment on some of the concerns.

For the past seven years, the fiesta has been conducted at the Hadley Complex, on a portion of Hadley Avenue between Solano Drive and Walnut Street. Downtown redevelopment, which has included the construction of a federal courthouse and the reopening of much of Main Street — which during years of the fiesta was then the Las Cruces Downtown Mall, forced event organizers to move the fiesta to the Hadley Complex.

With the change in location, came other changes to the fiesta. Long a free event, an admission charge has been implemented to attend the event. Seven years later, residents are still grumbling about that.

"It was a little ridiculous to have to pay to get into each event," Brittany Salaiz said. "...So much has changed about it that it's not even that great. I'd rather save my money and pay more for the (Southern New Mexico State) fair."

Leiann Ortega added, "When money is tight, which I think others can relate to, it is much easier to pay once and know that everything other than food and drink is covered. And you can relax and enjoy all the event has to offer."

The recession has affected Las Crucens, and Anissa Lujan agreed that with other similar events, like this weekend's fair, discretionary spending by residents for recreational and family activities has been limited, and that makes those events competitive with each other. That should be kept in mind as organizers continue to plan for these annual events.

"I went to the fiesta," Lujan said. "I think the parade was longer and had more in it than the actual fiesta. You spend money to get in, money for rides, money for concerts. By the time you leave, you are broke. They need to stop charging, and move it back (downtown). They also need to have more vendors. It took 20 minutes to walk in there and see everything."

Because of limited spending abilities, several Las Crucens said they passed on the fiesta to save their money for the fair.

"Our family attends all local events but this one," Nancy Orta said. "We won't go back until it is free, as it used to be, and until it is back where it used to be — downtown. In the meantime, we will have a little extra money to spend at the fair."

Another fiesta tradition had to be forsaken this year, and that bothered some residents. Roberto Estrada, creator of the large red enchilada, was unable to cook it this year because he was required by state government to replace old burner equipment he used to make the enchilada. The $40,000 cost to purchase the equipment forced Estrada to scrap plans for the enchilada, after cooking it for 31 years of the fiesta.

Fiesta organizers and community leaders have banded together and are soliciting donations to purchase new equipment, so Estrada doesn't have to pay for it out of his own pocket. A bank account was established at Citizens Bank, P.O. Box 2108, Las Cruces, NM 88004, to collect donations. The account number is 0127041920. Checks should be made payable to Citizens Bank and on the memo line on the check, the account number and Roberto's Enchilada Equipment should be added.

Estrada has annually donated all the ingredients used to cook the enchilada, and has often contributed to help residents, especially those who have experienced family tragedies, and organizations trying to raise money.

"That has been what the fiesta is really all about," Gregorio Saldivar said. "Why go to the fiesta if the whole enchilada, itself, isn't going to be made."

But with new equipment, Estrada is already planning to cook the world's largest flat red enchilada next year.

Braden Tidwell said he stayed away from this year's fiesta, but he's hoping better days for the event are ahead.

"(I) kept busy with other things that were either free or low-cost, plus getting a little bit more in return of other events around town with family and friends," Tidwell said. "We hope to see, maybe, The Whole Enchilada come back so all can see and enjoy. ...Though, (I) still gotta give kudos to all who volunteered and helped out put a popular event on for our community."

Since 1979, the underlying intent of the fiesta has been to showcase areas artists, businesses, organizations, and services. It's been estimated that more than 40,000 people, from more than 20 states, have annually attended the fiesta.

But while there were criticisms about what the fiesta has become, there were people who still enjoyed the event.

"We went to the 5K road race Saturday morning, then stayed for the parade, and both events were great," Lawrence Joy said. "I loved the 5K race; it was exciting. Enchiladas and a beer watching the parade go by capped a perfect Saturday morning in Las Cruces."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at (575) 541-5452. Also follow him on Twitter: @SteveRamirez6.